Performances of ‘Earthed’ run across the Easter weekend and Saturday sees the Pedlars’ Party in Kings Road

Earthed and Pedlars’ Party to look forward to over Easter

This year’s ATownExploresABook festival has been the biggest and best yet – and there are still more delights to look forward to over the Easter bank holiday weekend. Erica Smith encourages you to get ‘Earthed’ and stroll along Kings Road for the Pedlars’ Party this Saturday.

The first performances of Earthed begin tomorrow, Thursday 14 April, at the extraordinary ExploreTheArch venue in Charles Road. If you have not yet experienced a performance at Archer Lodge, then I wholeheartedly recommend that you book your seats now! ExploreTheArch have been producing remarkable theatrical performances in a domestic setting since 2016. Over the last two years, in order to stay Covid-safe, the performances have moved into the garden, and this is where you will find Hannah Collisson and Yasmin Aishah – remembering their childhood dens and reflecting on their contemporary relationship with nature.

Just under a year ago, Yasmin joined ExploreTheArch as part of the mentoring scheme. Since then, she’s appeared in a production of Spirited about Marie de France and performed in a film which involved being buried in a mound of dry leaves on the kitchen floor. Hannah, a writer and musician has been working with ExploreTheArch for a similar amount of time, but this will be her debut performance in front of an audience.

ExploreTheArch productions are like no other. The performers rarely come from a traditional theatrical background, but they develop their scripts by working closely with director Gail Borrow. It’s an extraordinary way to work – and the results are always delightful and memorable.

Jude Montague and Matt Armstrong outside their gallery/studio. The music stage will be sited here for the Pedlars’ Party on Saturday 16 April.

Kings Road knows how to party

A very different kind of spectacle will be happening in Kings Road on Saturday 16 April. From 10am to 4pm the Kings Road Traders are holding a street party and you are all invited! The ATownExploresABook team have worked with Will from Dandelion and Matt and Jude from the intriguing Montague Armstrong studio to put on a party with a difference. Will has been busy in his workshop making caravan-like structures which will be placed along the middle of the street so you can buy food and drink from the local cafes and restaurants and sit down to eat and meet other party guests.

2–3pm: Sue Tilley will be one of the special judges for the Dog Show.

There will be live music, children’s craft workshops and street games, a dog show – with prizes for both the best-dressed and the best ‘au naturel’ dogs and music workshops. There will also be a handful of poets and pedlars making their way around the street trying to tempt you with their wares. Look out for artist Katherine Reekie with her incredible net hut on wheels full of her art and crafts.

The festival continues until Monday 18 April. The art exhibitions at Southwater Area Community Centre, Electro Studios Project Space and Stella Dore are all open – as well as the ZoomArts exhibition in Oscars by the Square and all the participating restaurants and shops are ready to welcome you with open arms. You can see the full programme on the ATownExploresABook website.

There are three performances of Earthed each day until Monday 18 April. Tickets are £15 for adults and tickets for under-19s are free! Seats are still available over the Easter weekend, but it’s a good idea to book as soon as possible via Eventbrite.

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